Cyclone Harry causes over €1 billion in damage in southern Italy.

The initial estimate of the damage caused by Cyclone Harry hits southern Italy. It exceeds 1 billion euros (more than 6,3 billion reais) in Sicily and reaches hundreds of millions of euros in Sardinia. The data was released this Thursday. (22) by the governors of the affected regions.

In Sicily, Governor Renato Schifani announced that the provisional assessment by the Regional Civil Protection Department indicates losses of 740 million euros. The final figure is expected to exceed 1 billion euros when compensation for lost profits of affected businesses is included.

The governor of Sardinia, Alessandra Todde, stated that the island is still monitoring the situation. She estimates that the damage in the region amounts to hundreds of millions of euros. The weather phenomenon also affected... Calabria last Tuesday (20).

Although there are no reports of casualties, the cyclone destroyed infrastructure, commercial properties, residences, and ports. The violent waves sank vessels and dragged boats onto public roads. The fishing sector remains with its activities suspended.

In Sicily, small-scale fishermen are facing operational difficulties. The waves have created a 1,5-meter difference in water level between the beach and the sea, which could prevent them from working for months. The Sicilian government has declared a state of emergency to deal with the crisis.

Schifani confirmed an initial allocation of 70 million euros for immediate relief. Of this total, 50 million euros will be released now to the affected areas. The remaining 20 million euros will come from global funds from the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Cyclone Harry registered winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour and waves of about 10 meters high. In Calabria, the head of civil protection, Fabio Ciciliano, reported that the Ionian coast suffered the impact of water masses equivalent to a four-story building.